Rapper RiFF RAFF Moonlights as One Life to Live Gangster

Monday

May 6, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 6, 2013 at 5:21 AM

One Life to Live is getting crazy, folks. Coming in for a bit part on Tuesday's episode and probably more if we had to speculate -- is rapper RiFF RAFF (who, FYI, prefers to be styled "RiFF RAFF"-- as ...

TV Guide

One Life to Live is getting crazy, folks. Coming in for a bit part on Tuesday's episode - and probably more if we had to speculate -- is rapper RiFF RAFF (who, FYI, prefers to be styled "RiFF RAFF"-- as in, all caps, with a lowercase "i."). Now that the longtime soap opera is on the Internet, OLTL is free to experiment with some non-traditional stunt-casting. Jersey Shore alum JWOWW was hired by the show recently. And Riff Raff is equally whacked out: a visual persona mash-up of Lil Wayne and someone you've seen on an episode of Cops. In his first acting role, Riff Raff plays a shady art dealer/loan shark/gangster-type character that goes by the name of Jamie Franko. "He is from Alaska and he sells paintings made of liquid diamonds," Riff Raff tells TVGuide.com of his character.

For a brief primer on what's going on this season of One Life to Live, click here!

Hold up -- doesn't Jamie Franko sound a little like Oscar nominee James Franco? RiFF RAFF has some kind a rivalry with Franco since his look is said to have heavily inspired Franco's cornrowed appearance and alter ego in this year's Spring Breakers flick. "There is no way that James Franco can compete with my acting skills," Riff Raff says. "If I was given any role, I could do tenfold of anything that a James Franco could be taught in a school. My freestyle skills go beyond music."

Well, now that that's settled, RiFF RAFF gives TVGuide.com the scoop about his One Life to Live performance:

How did you get this job on One Life to Live?RiFF RAFF: (Producers) Ted Chung and Barry Reynolds called me on three-way, and thought it would be a good idea.

Did you ever take acting lessons?RAFF: It's all freestyle. I never went to any acting schools.

Celebrities we've lost in 2013

Is your Jamie Franko performance a response to James Franco in Spring Breakers?RAFF: No, definitely not. There is no way that James Franco can compete with my acting skills. If I was given any role, I could do tenfold of anything that a James Franco could be taught in a school. My freestyle skills go beyond music.

Do you have a long show arc, and will there be a recurring role beyond just one episode?RAFF: Hopefully, everything I do will be recurring.

How does being on the Internet help One Life to Live?RAFF: I hope it goes on TV. But the Internet is cool for now. I don't know what we can do about that.

What's next for you acting? Do you prefer funny or dramatic roles?RAFF: I can do any role. You will have to see when I do a serious role.

Our favorite TV performances this season

Are you into soap operas - why or why not?RAFF: I always wanted to be on TV.

Which characters do you work with most on the show? Is it with Cutler and Blair?RAFF: Yes. The cast was nice. I hope to work with them again. They are very good.

Have you heard from James Franco or Spring Breakers director Harmony Korine since playing Jamie Franko?RAFF: Of course. We all talk on the phone every couple days.

What happened story-wise over the show's hiatus?RAFF: Jamie Franko comes in -- and he stays around for a few seasons. Oops - spoiler alert!